Study Design:Questionnaire.Objectives:Iatrogenic dural tear is a complication of spinal surgery with significant morbidity and cost to the health care system. The optimal management is unclear, and therefore we aimed to survey current practices among Canadian practitioners.Methods:A questionnaire was administered to members of the Canadian Neurological Surgical Society designed to explore methods of closure of iatrogenic durotomy.Results:Spinal surgeons were surveyed anonymously with a 55% response rate (n = 91). For pinhole-sized tears, there is no agreement in the methods of closure, with a trend toward sealant fixation (36.7%). Medium- and large-sized tears are predominantly closed with sutures and sealant (67% and 80%, respectively). Anterior tears are managed without primary closure (40.2%), or using sealant alone (48%). Posterior tears are treated with a combination of sutures and sealant (73.8%). Nerve root tears are treated with either sealant alone (50%), or sutures and sealant (37.8%). Tisseal is the preferred sealant (79.7%) over alternatives. With the exception of pin-hole sized tears (39.5%) most respondents recommended bed rest for at least 24 hours in the setting of medium (73.2%) and large (89.1%) dural tears.Conclusions:This study elucidates the areas of uncertainty with regard to iatrogenic dural tear management. There is disagreement regarding management of anterior and nerve root tears, pinhole-sized tears in any location of the spine, and whether patients should be admitted to hospital or should be on bed rest following a pinhole-sized dural tear. There is a need for a robust comparative research study of dural repair strategies.

LE JOURNAL CANADIEN DES SCIENCES NEUROLOGIQUESSuppl. 2 -S37 respectively). No differences were identified for all other clinical and radiological factors assessed. Conclusions: This study supports the growing body of evidence for anterior fixation alone for flexiondistraction injuries. Findings suggest that measurements including segmental translation and kyphosis may predict radiographic failure and need for further surgical stabilization in some patients. Assessment for independent risk factors for anterior approach failure with a validated predictive scoring model should be considered. P.092Hirayama Disease: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge Background: Hirayama disease (HD) is characterized by progressive cervical myelopathy caused by repetive neck flexion leading to forward displacement of the posterior dural sack with compression and injury of the spinal cord. Typically, the C7-T1 myotomes become weak and atrophic, while sparing sensation. Here we present two Canadian cases of this rare entity. Methods: Two cases of HD are presented and literature reviewed, showing the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of this disease. Results: Case 1 is a 17-year-old male professional singer and musician. He presented with bilateral progressive hand weakness, which was aggrevated while playing the violine. Cervical MRI showed increased T2-weighted signaling at C5-7, but a correct diagnosis could not be identified. Eventually, dynamic cervical MRI showed the compression and he underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at C5-C6 and C6-C7 without complications.Case 2 is a 19-year-old female with progressive right hand weakness. After numerous investigations, a dynamic cervical MRI diagnosed her with HD with classic findings and she underwent an ACDF at C6-C7 without complications. Conclusions: Hiryama's disease is rare, but should be kept in mind when cervical cord signal changes cannot be explained by standard MRI. Dynamic MRI is imperative to correct diagnosis and anterior fusion shows good outcomes in its management.